Think drainage before reseeding

Over time drain may become blocked with silt / grass. Cleaning drains in fields for reseeding will improve their performance.

Fields for reseeding may benefit from improvements to drainage or soil aeration, according to Michael Garvey of College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

He said that, over time, drains may have become blocked with silt grass.

“It is important that these are cleaned out. Examine outflows from existing shores to ensure they are still running. If new drains are needed it is important they are planned and designed as the most appropriate solution for the site.”

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Garvey noted that compacted soil has been squashed into a solid layer restricting root growth and reducing grass response to nitrogen. Digging test holes at least 40cm (16”) deep with a spade allows you to see the extent of the problem and the depth of any compacted layer.

He said: “Visible signs of compacted soils include a structure that is hard to break up, shallow roots growing horizontally, few worms present, a bad smell and grey colour/brown mottling. The depth of the compacted layer will determine the type of machine that should be used to rectify the problem. Machines are available from soil aerators to subsoilers.”